A SEARCH has been launched off the coast of Scotland amid reports of a Russian submarine in the North Sea.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed that an RAF plane was "conducting activity" in the area, but did not confirm that the search related to a foreign submarine.

In a statement, the MoD said: "We can confirm that allied maritime patrol aircraft based at RAF Lossiemouth for a limited period are conducting activity with the Royal Navy.

"We do not discuss the detail of maritime operations."

A Royal Navy Frigate and submarine are also thought to be involved in the search, along with Canadian and French maritime patrol aircraft.

The Russian submarine was reportedly spotted off the north of Scotland more than 10 days ago.

There have been previous concerns that Russia could be developing plans to have submarines sever key internet communications during future wars, following a spike in its naval activity near the locations of undersea cables.